30 Days 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Costa Rica

Samasati, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Limón, Costa Rica

Overview

Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Costa Rica

Join Hari-Om Yoga School in this retreat in order to get your 300-hour yoga teacher certification. During this course, you develop a solid foundation for teaching yoga, as well as discover your own personal path in the world of yoga. You will learn about different approaches and techniques in teaching yoga and you will leave with a complete sense of who you are as teacher and yogi. Come immerse yourself in knowledge and come share the joys of yoga with others!

Hari-om Yoga School carefully selects the venue for its trainings to ensure comfortable and secure lodging, delicious vegetarian, and organic meals, inspiring and lush environment for your study.

Samasati Nature Retreat's facilities include a large hot tub overlooking the ocean where you can watch the toucans flying through the trees below, a spa where a wide variety of massage sessions are offered, and many trails where you can experience the forest and its magic. Each room has a safe deposit box, fan, emergency light, as well as other amenities. You will be able to stay in:

Casitas

Ten Caribbean style cottages are nestled within lovely tropical gardens. Built with wood reclaimed from the area, all have spacious verandas overlooking the rainforest or the Caribbean sea. Some have an additional bedroom in a lofted area above the main floor. The casitas can accommodate two to four people. Beds are either king size, double, or single size. Linens and towels are provided, along with a room safe, fan (additional fans available upon request), and laundry service at additional cost.

Guest house

The guest house is set in the rainforest a short walk away from the restaurant and reception comprised of five adjoining private rooms with two shared bathrooms (one for men and another for women). Choose from rooms with either two single beds or one double bed. The guest house is a great option for solo travelers, groups of friends, or couples looking for cozy and inexpensive accommodations. Linens and towels are provided, along with a room safe, fan (additional fans available upon request), and laundry service at additional cost.

Course requirements

A 200-hours Yoga Alliance certified diploma is required to be admitted for this course.

Introduction

Hari-Om yoga teacher trainings are always intense and challenging. They integrate tools and techniques from other traditions and practices such as muay thai, zen, taoism, ecstatic dance, and dynamic meditation because yoga is a dynamic path to a deeper and integral comprehension, and many people are past the point of being satisfied with simple explanations as “what degree the ankle should be placed” or “how high the arm should be raised” in an asana.

Yoga is not a dogmatic practice and when it becomes fanatical, can only add ignorance to ignorance. In this training there are at least four hours a day of powerful practice and a strong commitment is required from the students who decide to join and immerse themselves in the practice.

If observing your perceived limits and challenging them beyond what you thought possible in a conscious way, strengthening your body and inner body, and staying consistent on a path toward power is what you're searching for, then then you are invited to join. Leaving your comfort zone and transmuting it into your practice is Hari-Om's aim and forte.

Aspects to be analyzed

Alignment points

Most common errors

Possible simplified versions of the asana

Physical benefits

Contraindications

Effects on the mind and spirit

Effects on the chakras and doshas.

During the two-hour practice sessions that precede the theoretical portion of the course, the students will be asked also to perform asanas that are not mentioned in the course program and will be encouraged and assisted in researching their alignment points so as to be able to independently practice the asanas as desired in the correct manner.

Various asana sequences, involving specific parts of the body, that address different psychological and physical aspects of the individual will be taught with the intention of re-balancing their chakras and doshas.

The teaching method used during this 300-hours teacher training will be mainly aimed at assisting and empowering the students to create their own lesson-plans. The logic behind decisions to link certain asanas will be explained, so as to enable the students to create asana sequences in autonomy.

The students will be encouraged to prepare their own individual yoga lesson plan related to a specific subject, to develop the theme throughout the lesson by providing theoretical information before, during and after the execution of the asanas and to conclude with pranayama and dharana techniques that harmoniously accompany the rest of the lesson. Possible themes include chakras, a certain feeling, a particular element, or a phrase.

Pranayama and dharana

Techniques: bhramari pranayama, bastrika, and others. Breath timing techniques will be introduced in which one mentally counts to establish a particular duration of inspiration, exhalation, and breath retention, both with full and empty lungs; this technique will be applied to the various pranayama techniques previously learned.

Students will also be taught how to combine the various pranayama techniques with certain mudras and bandhas.

Students will be encouraged to utilize pranayama during the execution of certain asanas so that every movement begins and ends in relation to the breath cycle, simultaneously visualizing the movement of the pranic energy in the nadi.

Dharana techniques will be explored through a particular attention given to the use of mantras and yantras.

The following techniques will be explored on a deeper level, introducing advanced variations, among which the combined use of mudras and mantras during the single techniques: nadi Shodana, shitali, sitkari, kapalabhati, bhastrika, viloma, anuloma, agni sari, visamavritti, and asamavritti pranayama.

Supplementary techniques and various other topics

Methods for adjusting asana positions: suggestions of specific techniques in relation to every asana to this point learned, aimed at or helping the students to perceive the correct alignment of an asana or enabling them to increase the intensity of the position.

Yoga Nidra

Use of props and Restorative yoga.

Introduction to yoga therapy with particular attention to most common diseases (yoga for stress management, yoga for posture, back and shoulders, yoga for gastro enteric syndromes, yoga for women, and yoga for children and seniors).

Vinyasa yoga. Deepening the knowledge of Vinyasa sequences and of Vinyasa philosophical approach.

Chakras. Deepening the symbolic understanding, impact on the physical level, suggestions for re-balancing chakras imbalances through asana and other techniques.

The importance of taking yoga outside of the school and into one's life, as well as the importance of one's personal practice (sadhana).

The role of a yoga teacher and the relation between teacher and yoga students.

Practical advice on how to open a yoga school and promote yourself as a yoga teacher.

Philosophy of yoga

Tantra: its concept of time and of the divine nature of the course of existence; Samsara-Nirvana; the differences between the dualistic and the non-dualistic visions (Dvaiata-Advaita); dakshina e vama marga; Tantra as it exists in the present time.

Further study of Jnana yoga, the path of knowledge; Karma yoga, the path of action; Bhakti yoga, the path of devotion.

An introduction to the life and thoughts of some of the most notorious illuminated yoga masters including vivekananda, yogananda, sivananda, ramakrishana, and others.

Yoga in modern literature and cinema

Yoga and ethics

Elements of connections between different mystic traditions (Yoga, Christianity, Sufism.)

Ayurveda

The relationship between doshas and atmospheric conditions, seasons and times of the day. Students will learn to incorporate the most appropriate techniques during yoga classes.

An introduction to body-purification techniques.

Appropriate daily routines for every dosha.

Major physical symptoms that indicate a serious dosha imbalance.

Sounds, colours, and metals that rebalance the doshas.

Vastu and the use of essences in the yoga practice

Vastu is the science of building or architecture. The traditional system of architecture that was developed in the indus culture to build temples. Vastu is based on the combinations of the five elements and tries balance them, not only in their internal relations but letting them establishing a contact with the human being. Vastu creates building in harmony with the cosmic laws that give joy and peace to mankind.

An introduction to the application of essences.

How and why they work.

Their use in traditional naturopathy and ayurveda.

Their use as an aid to yoga practice.

Anatomy

In the course of the five weeks of the teacher training, the anatomical studies are more focalized and connected to the new techniques and asanas that have been taught.

A number of sessions will be dedicated to the concepts of tension, compression, stretching, elongation, flexibility, and to all the possible variables necessary for an approach of profound respect to the human body.

Other classes will be dedicated to the spine as the primary supportive structure of the body which is undergoing daily stressful functions that can be deeply balanced through cognizance and practice.

Anatomy 5

The concepts of tension and compression, how to recognize them during the practice, how to avoid damages, sprains, injuries etc.(how to practice Ahimsha), with a series of practical examples.

Anatomy 6

The spine, genesis, development, functioning, biomechanics (in daily life and during the practice), examples, and protocols.

Yoga theraphy

Therapy and life force: the etymology of the word therapy sees the Greek language exhibit the three basic concepts that are "assists - care - healing" and yoga therapy goes beyond the isolated concept of anatomical body l. The therapy will be developed through the use of the techniques of pranayama deeply combined with ancient Chinese Qigong exercises. Finally, you will use the synergy of the different practices in India and China with one goal: therapy.

Teacher and student relationship in the yoga therapy program.

Yoga practices, benefits, and contraindications for the nervous systems.

One example of therapeutic program with asana, pranayama, mudra, meditation, and yoga Nidra.

Jun is a 500-hours Yoga Alliance certified yoga teacher. She teaches an approachable, deep style of Hatha yoga that safely challenges the body and soothes the mind. She is also a dedicated student of Hatha yoga, meditation, Tantra, and Ayurveda. Her teaching skillfully weaves the practices of Hatha yoga to awaken fire and remove obstacles within, so that you may reveal and remember your natural state of meditative awareness and ease of heart. Jun is also a certified massage therapist and registered nurse.

Marco Mandrino

Marco is the founder and director of Hari-Om Yoga School. Marco is an enthusiastic practitioner of Muay Thai and combat sports in general. He has been teaching yoga for around twenty years, dealing almost exclusively with teacher trainings and retreats. Marco's idea, which the school reflects, is to integrate diverse techniques from various disciplines and arts in order to live simply, in harmony with the present moment and to the best of one’s potential.

Massimo Monti

Since an early age, Massimo felt attracted and influenced by the vision and teaching of mystics, masters, and yogis like Rumi, J.Krishnamurti, G.I. Gurdjieff, R. Tagore, and P. Yogananda, among others, which shaped the spiritual path to follow. Extensive travels throughout India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Middle East, North Africa as well as the Americas, Australia, and Europe brought him in contact with different spiritual paths widening the spectrum of ways in the quest of human consciousness growth.

Samasati Nature Retreat will be your base camp for this teacher training. Nestled in the South-Caribbean rainforest of Costa Rica, it is the ideal location to immerse yourself in a truly forest-yogi experience and for whoever wants to deepen the practice and knowledge of yoga in a pristine and unspoiled natural environment.

Far away from urban gyms and hectic city life, amongst ancient trees, colorful tropical birds, and kaleidoscopic butterflies, it becomes easy and effortless to think ecologically, to nourish harmony with all living creatures and to reclaim your universal and cosmic connection that is the true essence of yoga.

Delicious vegetarian and organic daily meals will be provided throughout the training. Meals at Samasati are served buffet style and the food is vegetarian. They use organic locally grown products as much as possible. Fruits come from Samasati's land and the chocolate comes from nearby cacao plantations. You will be amazed of how tasty and varied vegetarian food can be!

The following meals are included:

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

The following dietary requirements are served and/or catered for:

Vegetarian

Other dietary requirements on request

(If you have special dietary requirements its a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation)

Bird watching

This tour takes place in the Kekoldi Indian Reserve, an ideal place to watch a variety of birds in different habitats. During the course of the tour you will get to stop at a research center tower, which is designed for observing migratory birds. This place is considered the most important in the world for birds of prey.

Duration is approximately three hours and the cost is 49 USD per person.

Cahuita National Park hiking

Cahuita allows for easy access to breathtaking flora, fauna, beaches, and natural beauty! It is a small village located 16 kilometers north of Puerto Viejo famous for its beaches, most of which are within the National Park. This combination of idyllic white sand, coral reefs, and coastal vegetation provides an opportunity to observe tropical species such as monkeys, sloths, snakes, frogs, and butterflies.

Terraventuras transportation will pick you up at the hotel and take you to Cahuita where your guide will be waiting. The knowledgeable guide will accompany you down the trails of the National Park revealing and educating on its various ecosystems and species. Halfway through you’ll stop at Punta Cahuita to rest and enjoy refreshments. At the end of the walk, you’ll have time to swim at Cahuita beach before being transported back to the hotel.

Duration is approximately four hours and the cost is 45 USD per person.

Horseback riding on the beach

Experience for yourself riding out of the forest feeling the cool sea breeze on you as you see the clear blue ocean with white capped waves crashing on the clean sandy beaches as the sun shines to brighten an incredible day of riding. The rides start at Playa Chiquita de Talamanca going north to Puerto Viejo or south to Manzanillo. You can also get rides to local restaurants, weddings, birthdays special events, and requests.

Duration is approximately two and a half hours and the cost is 60 USD per person.

Indigenous reserve of Talamanca

Get picked up at the hotel and join the group heading to the Bribri reservation, the country’s largest indigenous community and head of the canton of Talamanca where you’ll visit the Indian communities of Volio, Watsi, and Santa Fe. The tour begins with a visit to Awa, Bribri for shaman, who will receive the group at his ranch with his family. There the family will share some of their customs and the history of Bribris.

Then you’ll walk to a sacred place on the mountain, where the Bribri have built a replica of holy Talamanca site where they believe God created the Bribri and other humans. The Awa will explain how they believe creation took place and demonstrate a few rituals. You will also have time to see the indigenous handicrafts before continuing your visit.

The tour continues with a visit to a Bribri family where five generations live under one roof. This will be direct contact with the lifestyle of these people, you’ll learn about their houses, how they cook, what plants they use for healing various diseases, how they produce chocolate and a myriad of details about the Bribri lifestyle. %Of course you’ll get to taste the homemade chocolate with different aromas and flavors and will be served a typical Bribri lunch. Also included, you’ll have the opportunity to grind chocolate and discover the secrets of this ancient process.

After the family visit the group gets to visit one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the area, the Volio waterfall, the highest in the area at 35 meters tall. After freshening up in the pools it’s time to start the journey back to the hotel.

Duration is approximately eight hours and the cost is 80 USD per person.

Jungle adventure

An excursion full of emotion that allows you to experience several adrenaline packed activities all in one day in a stunningly lush setting. The tour begins when Terraventura picks you up at the hotel and takes you on a 30 minute drive to Coal River to meet your guide for basic explanations about safety. When ready the team will use a drop cable and a hammock bridge to access the river. The group traverses the river surrounded by beautiful landscape, rappelling and jumping pools along the way, there’s also time to swim in the natural pools.

The largest decline will be at the end, down a waterfall of about 20 meters. After this, the group leaves the river and enters into the primary forest for the next adventure: climbing a 16 meter high tree. Using harnesses you’ll make your way to the very top where a platform with delicious boxed lunches await. After lunch, it’s time to leave the platform and start the canopy tour.

There you’ll enjoy high flying adrenaline charged activities like the Tarzan swing and multiple zip lines through the rainforest canopy. This is an adventure you will remember for a lifetime!

Duration is approximately six hours and the cost is 95 USD per person.

Samasati nature trek to Cascade Falls

A primal journey within the Samasati reserve. Within this living sanctuary one can encounter exotic animals like monkeys and sloths, observe some of the 400 bird species in the area, marvel at the hundreds of brightly colored or bizarre insects, and butterflies and learn about the intelligent life living in harmony. The trek winds down at Samasati’s very own mini waterfall and dipping pool!

Samasati offers relief and rejuvenation with treatments rooted in nature by capturing the healing powers of plants and preserving village remedies. Choosing all-natural super food ingredients from the Caribbean, they use flowers, leaves, bark, roots, seeds, and fruits of indigenous, naturally cultivated plants. The products are then artfully combined to provide a wide range of authentic beauty and wellness rituals.

Their menu is served by highly sought after international guest therapists and gifted local practitioners. These experts combine local plants and fruits to provide nutrient-rich living food for your skin. Cucumbers are sliced to create hydrating eye masks, local salt crystals are blended with virgin coconut oil for body scrubs, local cacao is grated, Aloe Vera is squeezed, juices are pressed, and raw chocolate warmed for deeply nourishing body masks.

Arrival by airplane

Please book your flight to arrive at San Jose International Airport (SJO). It will take you around four hours to reach Samasati from the airport.

If your flight lands after 1:00 p.m., you should spend the night in San Jose and catch, the following morning, a semi-private minivan (Interbus) which leaves the city at 8:00 a.m. The cost is 52 USD.

If your flight lands before 1:00 p.m., you can book a private taxi that can pick you up at the airport and take you directly to Samasati. The cost is around 190 USD for a minivan (up to six people).

Arrival by bus

Direct public buses run daily from San Jose city to Puerto Viejo. Samasati can arrange for you to be picked up at the airport by a taxi and taken to the public bus station. The total cost is approximately 40 USD.

"Hari – Om yoga teacher training has been a success! The teaching skills of teachers during these two years has allowed me to better understand some aspects of my studies and gave good suggestions for personal discover. The philosophy and purpose of this experiential training made me understand what kind of approach I want to give to my teaching. A special thanks to Marco Mandrino that with its peculiarities has been able to be a super teacher urging everyone to the tenacity, determination and courage with a pinch of irony and collective joy. As a researcher and experimenter I can say it was the beginning of a nice trip that will continue because irresistible!"

Hari-Om Yoga School website, edited

Review by Mauro

10 out of 10

"The choice to start a yoga teacher training with Hari-Om was one of the best I've ever done. The open and non-dogmatic approach, the interconnection with other disciplines and with martial arts is what enriches you more and allows to evolve. It leaves you a lot and continuous inputs so that you can continue to deepen your personal research. The path is transformative and as the training progresses ideas are clearer and you feel more “rich”. The teachers I have met and known transmit this approach and you discover they are true masters as well as friends. The classmates are special people, they accept you without judgment as you express your true nature freely. The mental and physical effort is important, but all the love and dedication are just a small part of what you have back. You will never lose it."

Hari-Om Yoga School website, edited

Review by Trisha

10 out of 10

"The Hari-Om yoga teacher training lived up to my expectations. The teachers are very competent, always available and ready to teach with a smile. Not just a school, but rather a way of life. Namastè."

Hari-Om Yoga School website, edited

Review by Jamie

10 out of 10

"I thoroughly enjoyed Hari Om Yoga School at Samasati. I thought that Max and June were the perfect balance of instructors to teach us yoga teachers in training. Jun's sensitivity and knowledge about anatomy mixed with Max's life experience, intense practice, and spirituality was just what I was looking for in a yoga school."

Hari-Om Yoga School website, edited

Review by Emanuela

10 out of 10

"The course was a beautiful personal journey. Very nice relationship that has been created with the teachers. After only a few hours, it seems we have known each other for a very long time. Although the practice is pretty tough, it never ends with at least a good laugh. Perhaps to defuse the effort but all the wonderful teachers have been able to bring out the best in each of us. All our materials and theoretical have been taught in a nice and effective way. Obviously, given the short time available, each topic was introduced and we were given all the tools to be able to deepen the study individually. Now the first part has been accomplished, it is to us to continue our studies at home and continue the daily practice, the only way to really bring yoga within us."

Hari-Om Yoga School website, edited

Review by Arianna

10 out of 10

"It is not really the classic dogmatic and serious yoga school. Hari-Om is something very different and strong that deals with professionalism, experience and wisdom the issues of Yoga, without taking itself too seriously! It is exactly what I was looking for as it brought me inside Yoga deeply, emotionally, energetically."

Hari-Om Yoga School website, edited

Review by Penelope

10 out of 10

"A fantastic experience that takes you out of your comfort zone to start an unforgettable experience. The course encompasses yoga to 360 degrees without losing anything, and adding some extras. The teacher training retreat is a totally unique experience, hard but unique."

Hari-Om Yoga School website, edited

Review by Ted

10 out of 10

"I'm very glad I took this important path with Hari - Om; It is exactly what I expected, maybe even better. Apart the pure technical matters and style, what struck me most was the feeling to be part of a family, the humility, and extraordinary capacity of each teacher to share a small part of one's own path. No dogma, only the desire to grow and enrich each other. Absolutely special."

Hari-Om Yoga School website, edited

Review by Carlee from Nakusp, British Columbia, Canada

10 out of 10

"Recently I attended Hari-Om's 200 hours YTT held at Samasati Nature Retreat in Costa Rica. I'm not sure that any review I provide will do this experience justice. It was incredible, life-changing, challenging and amazing. It was so much more than I had hoped for!I felt that the curriculum was very well rounded, and presented in a very non-biased, non-dogmatic, open minded manner. Learning everything about yoga would take a lifetime, but the 200 hours covered a great deal, and introduced us to the main topics in the world of yoga. I think it's kind of a case of 'the more you know, the less you know'. My horizons were broadened, and it created a hunger for more knowledge. Max and Jun were the perfect team as teachers, both bringing something very special to each class. I went to the training hoping to come out of it as a yoga teacher. I left as a better human being who can teach yoga! The location for this training could not be better. Samasati is a very special place. The staff are wonderful, the food was delicious (especially breakfast!) and the view was breathtaking. I looked into many YTT's before choosing Hari-Om, and feel so very grateful for the choice I made. I look forward to doing my 300 hours YTT with Hari-Om in the future. All I can really say is thank you, my life is forever changed for the better after this experience!"

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Review by Mark

10 out of 10

"I am very open to learning new things and this course did not disappointed me. I would recommend this course for anyone wishing to grow and become a better person."

Hari-Om Yoga School website, edited

Review by Marjo M, Costa Rica

10 out of 10

"I had the privilege of staying in Samasati on October 19th to 22nd. I was looking for a place to disconnect, re-energize and do yoga. My experience was everything and more! I am pretty demanding when it comes to yoga classes, being a teacher myself and conscious of my personal needs, and Stephanies classes where everything I wanted and more! She can deliver a journey of self-exploration and self-realization with each class she gives, even its not always pretty what a student finds in her personal exploration through yoga. Yoga in its best is transformative, and thank god there is a teacher like Stephanie who dedicates her live to transform peoples lives. She allows her genuine self to be present every time she teaches. Her classes are alwats challenging, whether they are more active, Vinyasa yoga or passive, Yin yoga. When student is open the magic of yoga happens."

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Review by Katrina Hache

10 out of 10

"I have been practicing mainly at home since the YTT trying to develop and grow more on what I learned while at Samasati. Today was one of the times that I decided to go to a class at my regular studio. The teacher hadn't seen me since I came back. After class she put her hand on my shoulder and said how she noticed that my practice has changed so much since the last time she taught me. That I'm much more forgiving of myself. Its one thing to feel a change within yourself, but when someone on the outside notices something like that, its hard to explain, but it just feels incredible. I just wanted to share this experience because of all of you (at the teacher training) that I was able to let go of a lot that was holding me back from being truly happy with myself. Thank you all for being supportive, understanding, and loving."

Hari-Om Yoga School website, edited

Review by Zach Cuaresma

10 out of 10

"I was reflecting on the past three weeks about our yoga teacher training and I cannot begin to express how full my heart is right now! I am beyond grateful for this whole experience. Some incredible people there. I love my 12 new sisters. I learned a lot about myself and about the practice of yoga and I only want to continue to study. This is the start of something wonderful!"

Hari-Om Yoga School website, edited

Review by Courtney from Washington, USA

10 out of 10

"I had an amazing time at the Hari-Om yoga teacher training in March 2015. Upon going into the training I knew I was entering a transformative path and that I would have great new views upon exiting the program. Of course, so much more happened within the three week span. In a program like this you learn so much about yourself and about life. It's an opportunity to try new things and get to know yourself better. Then along with it you meet amazing, new, perhaps life-long friends, and new ways to share the beauty of this world with every one around you. I thought that the training was excellent, all the teachers are amazing and have their own experience to bring to the program. It is an intense 200-hour course, in the jungle, so remember that when you sign-up. For me the seclusion was exactly what I wanted and needed, and I don't think I've ever felt so blissed out. I will for sure remember my 200-hour YTT experience with Hari-Om at the Samasati Nature Retreat in Costa Rica for the rest of my life."

BookYogaRetreats.com website, edited

Review by Carolyn Stevens

10 out of 10

"I had the most extraordinary journey. From the yoga teaching, to the animals in the rainforest and the delicious vegetarian foood. It has forced me to consider the choices I was making prior to my YTT. It is a life changing positive experience that will deepen your own practice and point you in the right direction if someday you would like to teach. All the instructors were fantastic! Very knowledgeable and very approachable. If you have the opportunity I would suggest this to anyone even if you don't want to teach there are some great tools to help your own practice! I loved it! I would not change a thing."

Hari-Om Yoga School website, edited

Review by Calin N.

10 out of 10

"With all the multiple challenges I faced throughout the training compared to other students (new to vegetarian diet, suddenly no wine allowed for me after work, haha, strict discipline, exhausting practice)I left with the overall feeling of clearly meeting my objective and of a work very well done.I was impressed by the vast experience, in depth knowledge of yoga and teaching skills of the instructors, I liked the special approach to teaching by using an invigorating blend of hard work, attention to detail and recurrent episodes of fun and jokes to make everything feel lighter, more human, to make students love yoga more than they used to do and for me it worked and I think that is the secret and the big science.I left the training feeling a better yogi, and aside from the insights received re the asanas technicalities and many other details and knowledge required of a yoga teacher and which surely will still require continuos study, self work and effort to improve and consolidate, I left feeling more in touch with the inner realms, with myself, perhaps a better person, with a better will, more clearly defined personal priorities and certainly better equipped to live a more yoga type of life, to be able to take care of myself, body, soul, spirit and emotion. And why not, who knows, perhaps one day, in my turn, to also be able to help others start to love or get closer to yoga, get closer to themselves."

Hari-Om Yoga School website, edited

Review by Angelika Scott

10 out of 10

"For me, the teacher training with Hari-Om exceeded my expectations. Since I taught yoga before Yoga Alliance spread its wings in the yoga world, I was a bit skeptical about 'new age yoga', the 200-hour thing, the 500-hour thing, knowing that studying yoga is a never ending endeavor and one does not become a teacher just like that. I have been trained in a three year apprentice ship, with hundreds of hours, still ongoing seminars every year, where meditation and union with the Divine is the goal. I found your training to be not only enjoyable and beneficial, but loved the fact that there was always the referral to meditation as the real thing, as well as providing a good introduction to yoga philosophy. It was rich, interesting, and stimulating. I feel a renewed enthusiasm for my teaching and the desire to expand and grow, which I had lost."

Hari-Om Yoga School website, edited

Review by Sally Knopp

10 out of 10

"What a wonderful experience, with wonderful people! The 500-hour program was extremely personally challenging, both physically and mentally but I knew that it was where I was meant to be. In the end, I'm so glad that I was there. You can't help but grow body, mind, and spirit."

Hari-Om Yoga School website, edited

Review by Marcella

10 out of 10

"Yoga and more! I left my island to go to learn how to be a "good" yoga teacher, and yes, I took home a certificate. I can be a yoga teacher now. For what concerns being a "good" teacher, my path has just started. I can definitely count on myself as much as I know I can count on all of those who taught me in these 21 days what is yoga not only through the practice. So I thank myself as I want to learn more and more, but I want to thank those who with the sweat of the practice made us overcome our fears.Thank you to those who nurtured our souls during the lessons and lectures even during the ones after lunch when digestion puts you in the rest mode. Thank you to those who with love (great ingredient) cooked for us amazing food nurturing our bodies. Thank you to those who took care of our common spaces every day with a smile. Thank you to those who stated this "journey" with me, my companions for sharing me a part of them. I believe I can really say that you made me experience yoga in my life. Thank you from the deepest of my heart."

Hari-Om Yoga School website, edited

Review by Raffaella

9 out of 10

"I came with an open heart but hazy intention. I found a teacher and a staff who could respectfully observe my soul and consolidate my intention. So it grew and finally became part of me. Hari Om is a great school that can show you the way without imposing its. I'll see you soon guys to keep walking on this path."

Hari-Om Yoga School website, edited

Review by Sara

9 out of 10

"A part of my heart is still there, where the time stopped for 21 days. It wasn't only a teacher training course, it was more than that. A big family, new faces, moments of happiness, and sometimes a tear. It will be with me forever and when I close my eyes I will be there again with you all."